Traffic-signal.



T. BEAVER.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION men APR. 15. 1916.

Patented May 15, 1917.

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THOMAS BEAVER, OF SEWELL, NEW JERSEY.

TRAFFIC-SIGN AL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1917..

Application. filed April 15, 1916. Serial No. 91,359.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS a citizen of the United States, residing at Sewell, in the county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful improvements in Trailic-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The invention is directed particularly to an improvement in traiiic signals and particularly to a specific operating means designed for use in connection with a traflic signal described and clain'ied in an application filed by me on January 12, 1916, Ser. No. 71,768. In said application there is provided immediately in rear of the dash, an operating shaft, which at the outer end, through the medium of gears connected to semaphores or signals, a lever or operating handle being connected to the shaft to simultaneously and similarly actuate the signals at the will of the driver.

In the application described the signals are simultaneously and similarly operated, the present invention being designed particularly for providing a means whereby the signals may be independently as well as simultaneously operated if desired.

The invention in the preferred form of details will be described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanymg drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan illustrating the application of the structure and showing the improved operating means;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the operating means;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

- In connection with the invention described in the application above referred to, there is provided opposing similar signals 1, supported on the vehicle body immediately in rear of the dash, and geared to an operating shaft. In the present instance the said shaft is divided into two shaft sections, 2 and 3, arranged in longitudinal alinement and mounted in suitable brackets or guides 4 so that the said sections may be freely rotated. Centrally of the mechanism or adjacent the meeting ends of the shafts 2 and 3 there is provided a bracket 5 having spaced arms 6, through which the respective shaft sections 2 and 3 extend, and in which they are rotatably supported.

An operating lever 7 is provided, includ- BEAVER,

ing a handle portion 8 and a hollow barrellike body 9. Within the body is supported a socket member 10, preferably of cylindrical form and having diametrically opposed trunnions 11, by which the socket member is supported for pivotal movement at an angle to its axis within the barrel of the operating lover. The socket member is formed with an axial opening 12 of noncircular form in cross section, being shown in the present instance as semi-circular. The respective ends of the shaft sections 2 and 3 are formed at 13 to correspond and fit the axial opening 12 in the socket member, and on each shaft section intermediate the socket member and adjacent arm of the bracket 5, are coiled springs 14-. The springs are of sufiicient tension to normally maintain the socket member, and thereby the lever, centrally of the bracket so that both ends of the shaft sections are fitted in the axial opening of the socket member.

The operating lever 7 is provided with a rearward extension 15 formed with an opening to receive the curved guide rod 16 depending from the bracket, the curvature of the rod corresponding to the rotative play of the lever in its operative movement.

A locking arm 17 is pivotally mounted in an opening 18 in the lever and projects in both directions beyond the lever. The rear end of the arm is provided with an offset or tooth 19, to engage a similar recess 20, in an appropriate part of the bracket, while the forward end of the arm 17 underlies the handle portion 8 of the lever and is held spaced therefrom by spring 21.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that with the operating lever in its central position, said lever may be manipulated, after actuation of the arm 17 to release the lock, to simultaneously rotate both shaft sections 2 and 3 to simultaneously and similarly actuate the signal 1. If, however, it is desired to operate but one signal, the lever is swung bodily in the direction of the shaft connected to that signal, the pivotal movement of the lever being permitted on the connections 15 and 16. This movement causes the socket member to be withdrawn from its connection with the op posing shaft, the pivoting of the socket member compensating for such movement, so that a swinging movement of the lever will operate only the shaft so connected. Upon releasing the pressure upon the lever the springs 14: return to normal position so that both shaft engaged.

That is claimed is:

1.. A traflic signaling apparatus including operating shaft sections, an operating lever, and means carried by the lever to operatively engage either or both of the shaft sections at will.

2. A trailic signaling apparatus including operating shaft sections, an operating lever, and means carried by the lever t0 operatively engage either or both of the shaft sections at Will, and means for returning the lever to normally engage both shaft sections.

3. A trailic signal operator including operating shafts, a lever mounted intermediate the shaft sections and adapted for swinging movement, a socket piece pivotally mounted in the lever and having a noncircular axial opening, the ends of the shaft sections being of similar non-circular formation, and adapted to engage the axial opening of the socket piece.

4. A traiiic signal operator including op- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

sections 2 and 3 are again erating shafts, a lever mounted intermediate the shaf t sections and adapted for swinging movement, a socket piece pivotally mounted in the lever and having a non-circular axial opening, the ends of the shaft sections being of similar non-circular formation, and adapted to engage the axial opening of the socket piece, and meansfor pivoting the lever for bodily swingingmovement.

5. A trailic signal operator including operating shafts, a lever mounted intermediate the shaft sections and adapted for swinging movement, a socket piece pivotally mounted in the lever and having a noncircular axial opening, the ends of the shaft sections being of similar non-circular formation, and adapted to engage the axial opening of the socket piece, and means for pivoting the lever for bodily swinging movement, and means carried by the shaft sections to normally center the lever With respect to the sections. V

In testimony whereof-I aflix my signature.

I THOMAS BEAVER.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

